The American Cinema Editors (ACE) Eddie Awards, considered a significant bellwether for the Academy Awards, were presented Friday night, recognizing excellence in film and television editing. Several films heavily favored in the upcoming Oscar race took home top honors, solidifying their positions as frontrunners as final Academy voting gets underway. Among the victors were One Battle After Another and Sinners, winning in the comedy and drama categories respectively, signaling strong momentum heading into the Oscars.
The ACE Eddie Awards are particularly noteworthy since editing is often described as a crucial, yet sometimes overlooked, element of filmmaking. A skilled editor can elevate a film, shaping pacing, emotional impact, and overall narrative coherence. The awards, held at UCLA’s Royce Hall, honor the craft and artistry of those behind the scenes who bring stories to life through the power of visual storytelling. This year’s ceremony, hosted by Asif Ali, also celebrated industry veterans with special awards recognizing lifetime achievement and visionary contributions.
Key Wins Reflect Oscar Predictions
One Battle After Another, edited by Andy Jurgensen, secured the Best Edited Feature Film (Comedy, Theatrical) award, while Michael P. Shawver’s perform on Sinners earned the title of Best Edited Feature Film (Drama, Theatrical). Both films are nominated in the Best Film Editing category at the upcoming Academy Awards, alongside Sentimental Value, Marty Supreme, and F1 – all of which were also recognized by the ACE Eddie Awards. This convergence of accolades suggests a competitive race for the Oscar, but highlights the strong editing work within these particular films.
Netflix also enjoyed a successful evening, with KPop Demon Hunters, edited by Nathan Schauf, winning Best Edited Animated Feature Film, and Viridiana Lieberman taking home the award for Best Edited Documentary Feature for The Perfect Neighbor. The success of The Perfect Neighbor is particularly notable, as it is considered a strong contender at the Oscars, though it faces competition from Mr. Nobody Against Putin, a BAFTA-winning documentary that was not nominated for an ACE Eddie. The BAFTA Awards for film are presented by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. The British Academy is an independent charitable organisation supporting, developing and promoting the art forms of the film, television and creative industries.
Television Editing Honored
The ACE Eddie Awards also recognize excellence in television editing. Mark Strand was honored for his work on the drama series The Pitt, a show described as an “awards juggernaut,” surpassing Andor, which had previously won an Emmy Award in the same category. Eric Kissack continued his winning streak, securing the ACE Eddie for Best Edited Single Camera Comedy Series for The Studio, having also received an Emmy for the same work. The awards demonstrate the high caliber of editing across a diverse range of television programming.
In the limited series category, Henk van Eeghen won for his editing of the finale of The Penguin. This recognition is somewhat delayed, as the series originally aired in 2024, but the finale’s eligibility extended into the current awards cycle. The ACE Eddie Awards also recognized excellence in other television categories, including multi-camera comedy series, reality series, and variety talk/sketch shows, with Saturday Night Live’s 50th Anniversary Special taking home the award for Best Edited Variety Talk/Sketch Show or Special.
Beyond the Awards: Recognizing Industry Leaders
The ACE Eddie Awards are not solely focused on recognizing specific projects. The ceremony also honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of editing. This year, Ang Lee received the ACE Golden Eddie Filmmaker of the Year Award, acknowledging his distinguished career and artistic vision. Kim Larson of YouTube was presented with the ACE Visionary Award, recognizing her innovative work in digital media. Arthur Forney and Robert Leighton were honored with ACE Career Achievement awards, celebrating their decades of dedication and expertise in film editing.
The full list of winners, as announced Friday night, includes:
- EDITED FEATURE FILM (Drama, Theatrical): Sinners – Michael P. Shawver
- BEST EDITED FEATURE FILM (Comedy, Theatrical): One Battle After Another – Andy Jurgensen
- BEST EDITED ANIMATED FEATURE FILM: KPop Demon Hunters – Nathan Schauf
- BEST EDITED DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: The Perfect Neighbor – Viridiana Lieberman
- BEST EDITED DOCUMENTARY SERIES: Pee-wee as Himself – Part One – Damian Rodriguez
- BEST EDITED MULTI-CAMERA COMEDY SERIES: Frasier (Murder Most Finch) – Russell Griffin, ACE
- BEST EDITED SINGLE CAMERA COMEDY SERIES: The Studio (The Promotion) – Eric Kissack, ACE
- BEST EDITED DRAMA SERIES: The Pitt (6 p.m.) – Mark Strand, ACE
- BEST EDITED FEATURE FILM (NON-THEATRICAL): A Winter’s Song – Yvette M. Amirian, ACE
- BEST EDITED LIMITED SERIES: The Penguin (A Great or Little Thing) – Henk van Eeghen, ACE
- BEST EDITED REALITY SERIES: Conan O’Brien Must Move (Austria) – Matthew Shaw, ACE & Brad Roelandt
- BEST EDITED VARIETY TALK/SKETCH SHOW OR SPECIAL: Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special – Paul Del Gesso, Christopher Salerno, Ryan Spears, Sean Mcilraith, ACE, Ryan Mcilraith & Daniel Garcia
- BEST EDITED ANIMATED SERIES: South Park, “Twisted Christian” – David List & Nate Pellettieri
- BEST EDITED SHORT: All The Empty Rooms – Erin Casper, ACE, Stephen Maing & Jeremy Medoff
- ANNE V. COATES AWARD FOR STUDENT EDITING: Luis Barragan – California State University, Fullerton
The ACE Eddie Awards serve as a crucial indicator of potential success at the Academy Awards, and the wins for One Battle After Another and Sinners undoubtedly boost their chances. The awards also highlight the importance of editing as a vital component of cinematic storytelling, recognizing the skill and artistry of the editors who shape the final product. As the Oscar nominations have been announced, the industry will be watching closely to see which of these celebrated films will ultimately capture home the coveted award.
The 98th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 2, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce the winners across all categories, including Best Film Editing. Stay tuned to World Today Journal for continued coverage of the awards season and the latest developments in the film industry.
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